Nearly 1.3 million guests spent a total of 2.9 million tourism nights across the country, reflecting an 11% increase in arrivals and an 8.4% rise in overnight stays compared to the same period last year. The growth was driven primarily by a surge in international visitors, whose overnight stays climbed 15%, while domestic tourism remained relatively stable with a modest 0.6% increase.
Throughout 2024, tourist accommodation establishments registered 5.8% more tourism nights than in the previous year, totaling 44.2 million. The increase was largely fueled by international travelers, who spent 9.9% more nights in Hungary, while domestic overnight stays saw a 2.0% rise.
In December, 544,000 domestic tourists accounted for 1.2 million overnight stays. Hotels remained the most popular accommodation type, attracting 82% of domestic tourism nights, with a 2.4% year-on-year increase.
The Győr and Pannonhalma region recorded the highest growth in domestic stays, rising 14%, while the Tokaj and Nyíregyháza region saw an 8% decline. In Budapest, domestic tourism nights edged up 1.6%, while at Lake Balaton, they fell by 2.8%.
International tourism saw a more pronounced upswing, with 715,000 foreign visitors spending 1.7 million nights in Hungary in December. Seasonally adjusted data showed a 19% increase in international arrivals and a 12% rise in overnight stays compared to the same period in 2023. Hotels remained the primary choice for foreign visitors, accommodating 87% of their overnight stays, which rose by 12% year-on-year.
The number of nights spent at private and other accommodation establishments surged by 25%. Regional trends showed significant variance, with the Pécs region experiencing a 33% increase in international overnight stays, while the Gyula region saw a 22% decline. Budapest, the country’s main tourism hub, recorded a 19% rise in international tourism nights, whereas Lake Balaton saw a slight 0.8% dip.
Across Hungary, 22,206 tourist accommodation establishments—comprising 2,149 commercial and 20,057 private or other accommodations—welcomed guests in December. Among commercial establishments, 922 hotels and 924 boarding houses were in operation for at least part of the month.
Tourism revenue saw substantial growth, with total gross sales at tourist accommodation establishments reaching nearly HUF 90 billion, a 22% increase at current prices compared to the previous year. The use of Széchenyi Recreation Cards for payments at accommodation establishments rose 8.2% year-on-year, amounting to HUF 2.9 billion.
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